Jeremiah 36:20

20 They went in to the king into the court; but they had laid up the scroll in the chamber of Elishama the Sofer; and they told all the words in the ears of the king.

Jeremiah 36:20 Meaning and Commentary

Jeremiah 36:20

And they went in to the king into the court
The inner court, the king's court, where he usually resided; though very probably they did not rush in at once; but first sent to know whether the king could be spoke with, or would admit them, they having something to communicate to him; which they might do by the person in waiting, by whom they were introduced: but they laid up the roll in the chamber of Elishama the scribe;
they did not take it with them, but left it in the secretary's office; and, no doubt, put it up safe in some chest or scrutoire, as something valuable, and not to be exposed to everyone; or to be thrown about, torn, or trampled on, as a book of no use and value: very probably it was with the consent of Baruch that it was left with them: and this was a point of prudence in them not to take it with them when they went to the king: and told all the words in the ears of the king;
that is, the sum and substance of them; for it cannot be thought they should remember every word in the roll; but the main of it they did, and rehearsed it in a very audible manner.

Jeremiah 36:20 In-Context

18 Then Barukh answered them, He pronounced all these words to me with his mouth, and I wrote them with ink in the book.
19 Then said the princes to Barukh, Go, hide you, you and Yirmeyahu; and let no man know where you are.
20 They went in to the king into the court; but they had laid up the scroll in the chamber of Elishama the Sofer; and they told all the words in the ears of the king.
21 So the king sent Yehudi to get the scroll; and he took it out of the chamber of Elishama the Sofer. Yehudi read it in the ears of the king, and in the ears of all the princes who stood beside the king.
22 Now the king was sitting in the winter-house in the ninth month: and [there was a fire in] the brazier burning before him.
The Hebrew Names Version is in the public domain.